Page 22 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

“I’ll just… get my coat.”

She spun around and hurried to her bedroom, her heart pounding against her ribs. When she returned clutching a green tweed coat, he didn’t look as if he’d moved, but the bouquet of flowers he’d brought was now neatly arranged in a small vase.

“Thank you for putting those in water.” She hesitated, twisting her coat nervously in her hands. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I don’t mean to keep ambushing you with kisses-”

“I wasn’t uncomfortable, little flower.” His deep voice sent another shiver down her spine. “We should go.”

Before she could process what was happening, he’d plucked the coat from her hands and held it open just as he had before. She slipped her arms into the sleeves, overwhelmingly conscious of his massive body behind her. He freed her hair from the collar, his fingers lingering on her neck for a fraction too long.

As he guided her towards the door, he placed a big, warm hand on the small of her back. The casual possessiveness of the gesture made her pulse race. The warmth of his touch radiated through her coat, and she found herself leaning into it just a fraction. For someone who’d run away from her at the auction, he certainly wasn’t acting like he wanted to escape now.

CHAPTER TEN

Varek’s heart nearly stopped when Posy’s foot slid on a patch of black ice. His arm automatically shot out, catching her before she could fall. The warmth of her body pressed against his side, her small hand clutching his shirt.

“Thank you.” Her breath came out in a white puff in the cold night air.

He should step away from her as he’d done when they first emerged onto the street, determined to keep his distance. But the need to protect her overrode his usual caution.

“The sidewalks are treacherous this time of year.” He put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer to his side. “For safety,” he muttered, waiting for her to pull away.

Instead, she curved into him, fitting perfectly against his much larger body. Her face tilted up, brown eyes sparkling in the glow of the street lamps. “My hero.”

The teasing note in her voice sparked something warm in his chest. His thumb traced small circles on her shoulder through her coat before he caught himself.

If only he could be her hero. But at least he could play the role tonight. He smiled down at her and tucked her closer against him. The night was cold, the air crisp and clear, but the heat of her body chased away the winter chill. He’d never walked with a female like this, and the rightness of it shook him to the core. As if she were made for him.

Stop.

It couldn’t happen. Wouldn’t happen. But he’d have tonight to remember. He just prayed it didn’t go horribly wrong. He knew visiting the cafe was a risk, but he owed it to her. She’d made him a gift. And tried to make dinner, despite the results.

His chest tightened again at the memory of the candle. He’d noticed the rather ragged herbs in her apartment but assumed they were for cooking. But no - she’d actually made a candle, just for him. No one had ever given him something so personal before. Not since he was a child, long before his father died.

The streets of Fairhaven Falls were quiet tonight, most businesses already closed for the night. A few lights shone in the windows of the surrounding houses, and the street lamps cast a warm glow on the sidewalk. Despite the cold it was a beautiful evening, made even more beautiful by the woman beside him.

A small group of people walked up the sidewalk on the other side of the street, their eyes widening at the sight of him with his arm around Posy. One woman whispered something to her companion and he tensed.

He started to withdraw his arm, but Posy put her hand over his, keeping it in place.

“Thank you for keeping me upright.” She pitched her voice so it could carry to the passing group. “These sidewalks are so slippery tonight.”

His arm tightened fractionally around her shoulders as they continued toward the lights of the cafe. Her presence made it easier to ignore the curious looks thrown their way. A couple hurried across the street to avoid them. Old Mrs. Garcia gaped from her shop window. The hardware store owner dropped his keys.

His jaw clenched, the urge to retreat back to his cabin growing with each step.

But her warmth against his side anchored him. Her hand still rested on his, keeping his arm in place, as if she sensed his internal struggle.

The bell above the cafe door chimed as they entered, and the buzz of conversation died. Forks clattered against plates. Every head turned toward them. The cafe wasn’t as busy as it was during the day but it seemed full of staring faces.

The familiar weight of dozens of stares pressed down on him - some hostile, others merely shocked. He couldn’t move. The last time he’d been in here…

His grip on Posy’s shoulder loosened. He needed to leave. Get out. Before-

“Table for two?” Rona’s cheerful voice cut through the silence. The waitress who’d run the cafe for as long as he could remember appeared in front of them, acting as if nothing was unusual about his presence.

His throat closed up. He couldn’t form words. Couldn’t move as Rona waited patiently for his response, her smile still firmly in place. Posy came to the rescue.

“Yes, please.”

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